Montana State University Library Open Journal Systems
Not a member yet
2608 research outputs found
Sort by
Fabrication and Characterization of Aligned Fibers on Nonconductive Substrates from a Novel Electrospinning System
Get PDFElectrospinning has become a valuable technique for producing micro-to-nanoscale polymeric fibers with length scales from ~1 nm to 100 µm. Alignment of electrospun fibers further expands upon functionality by increasing reproducibility and improving predictive behavior of fibers in various environmental conditions. The utility of electrospun fibers can be subsequently increased with the ability to deposit directly onto a non-conductive/nonenergized surface. Possible uses include displays and sensors for commercial or defense applications or in biomedical application for depositing on tissue. In order to accurately deposit electrospun fibers onto a nonconductive surface, we developed a new electrospinning apparatus. The set up for the device includes two grounded electrodes separated with a small gap that sheets of air were be forced through in order to prevent the fibers from contacting the electrodes. Fibers were deposited directly onto a nonconductive surface placed below the grounded electrodes. Details of the apparatus along with images and analysis of resultant fibers will be presented
Growth of Finitely Generated Groups
Get PDFGiven a finitely generated group, we study various growth functions and growth series. We calculate growth functions for certain groups of polynomial and exponential growth, and study R. Grigorchuk's example of a group with intermediate growth. We examine relations between algebraic properties of a finitely generated group and the equivalence class of its growth functions
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Statewide Forest Management Plan
Get PDFMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is responsible for managing approximately 150,000 acres of forested land across 36 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Since 2009, Montana’s legislature has passed several bills prescribing forest management on these lands and requiring FWP to adopt forest management plans. Work is progressing towards developing a statewide forest management plan. FWP is proposing a forest management plan that employs a “filter” approach with emphasis on conserving biodiversity. Our premise is that implementing this approach will provide sustainable habitat conditions for the variety of species endemic to these forests
Climatic Data for Wildlife Research and Management
Get PDFThere is generally a poor correlation between climatic variables at lower elevations and higher elevations. It is imperative that this relationship be understood when evaluating climatic effects on species that move from lower to higher elevation during different seasons. It is also important that valley climatic conditions are not used to define relationship of species that occupy higher elevations. Using data from NRCS SNOTEL (SNOw TELemetry) sites and NWS climatic stations can help define climatic conditions at locations occupied by concerned species. Daily data is generally more useful than monthly or seasonal averages. There are approximately 90 SNOTEL sites across Montana that typically report daily SWE (snow water equivalent), precipitation, maximum, minimum and average temperatures yeararound and data is available in real-time. SWE can be related to travel, soil temperature, forage production and availability, migration and predator-prey relationships. Some SNOTEL sites also report snow depth. NWS stations typically report daily precipitation, maximum and minimum temperature but data for most stations is reported monthly. SWE can be estimated for NWS sites where daily air temperature, snow depth and precipitation are reported. Precipitation can be related to forage production, soil moisture and fall green-up. Maximum, minimum and average daily temperature can be related to forage production, phenology, the day plants break dormancy, fall green-up, critical temperatures for animals. Annual variability as well as elevational variability can be used to refine data to each area of interest. Some examples of the relationships described above will be presented
Testing an eDNA marker for Common Snapping Turtles
Get PDFCommon snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) are a species of concern in southeastern Montana and some southern states; however, they are invasive to the Crown of the Continent ecosystem. Although raccoons and foxes destroy over 90% of the eggs, the few remaining survivors that reach adulthood are enough to raise serious concern as they prey upon many native species and have no natural predators. According to the Montana Natural Heritage Program, there have been only three documented reports of snapping turtles in the Flathead Valley, yet we have observed an additional 19 unreported individuals. We tested a previously developed environmental DNA (eDNA) marker for common snapping turtles to help determine their distribution in the Flathead Valley. We extracted DNA from snapping turtle tissue samples collected in the Flathead Valley to verify marker effectiveness. We hypothesized McGilvray Lake and a nearby small pond would be positive for snapping turtle DNA, while Spencer Lake would be negative. Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta belli) were visually detected in all of the waterbodies while snapping turtles have not been observed in Spencer Lake. We collected eDNA samples via water filtration in December 2016. All of the eDNA samples were negative for snapping turtle DNA. We believe our analysis produced negative results because during the winter the turtles bury themselves in the mud and the DNA can degrade or that we did not capture enough DNA. We plan to sample in the summer when the turtles are more active to increase our probability of detection
Quantifying and Managing Water Withdrawals in the Yellowstone River Basin: Increasing the Scientific Rigor
Get PDFA scientifically-defensible system for accurate and precise quantification of existing water withdrawals and uses within the Yellowstone River Basin is necessary for effective water management. In conjunction with a data inventory of all known consumptive withdrawals from the Yellowstone River and its tributaries during the period 2006-2008, (municipal, industrial, irrigation agriculture and livestock sources), we conducted a physical inventory of surface withdrawals in 2006 to estimate the number of mainstem surface water users. Of the 687 identified water withdrawal sites, 113 were found to have screening devices present, 120 had no screens, and the screening status of 454 sites could not be determined. Ninety-two of the 687 water withdrawal sites identified during the physical inventory were not found to match with locations on the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) points of use or points of diversion. The lack of measured water withdrawals by most water users in the basin forces investigators to rely on indirect estimates of water use, which are inaccurate and propagate error through water use statistics. To improve the scientific credibility of data regarding the water withdrawals and improve conditions for native fish and other aquatic species, several suggestions are forwarded, including the need to screen all diversions, the need for an identification system to enable a withdrawal site to be specifically linked to a water right and the need for an accurate and precise system for measuring and reporting water withdrawals. Other identified needs are to complete the adjudication process in the state, to review the scientific evidence in support of the differential water use hierarchy in the Yellowstone River Basin, and to review terminology to eliminate, to the extent possible, ambiguous or imprecisely defined terms used in water usage. Short term benefits of applying more scientific rigor to the usage of water rights and the water management process will pay long-term dividends of more justifiable quantification of withdrawals, more reliable allocation of water, reduced litigation, and more effective conservation of native aquatic resources in the basin
The Mentor: What Do YOU Need from a Mentor?
Get PDFThe Mentor column is a place for advice, storytelling, introspection, and professional growth
The Effect of the Cluffy Wedge on the Average Vertical Jump Height of Volleyball Athletes
Get PDFThe aim of this study was to determine if placing the big toe in a dorsaflexed position affects the average vertical jump height of volleyball players and whether the grade of functional hallux limitus (FHL) limits its effectiveness. A polyurethane wedge (Cluffy Wedge) was placed under the big toe of 30 volleyball athletes. Two sets of three vertical test jumps were completed for each individual and t-tests of average jump heights showed no difference with or without the Cluffy Wedge. The subjects were then tested for FHL. Results showed slight significance in average jump heights for FHL grade 0 (p= 0.1401), while showing no significance in FHL grade 1 (p= 0.6949) and 2 (p= 0.9045). In conclusion, using a Cluffy Wedge to induce dorsiflexion of the big toe did not affect the average jump height of volleyball athletes and the FHL grade had no influence
Scientific Integrity: Producing, Incorporating, and Advocating for Science in the Age of Alternative Facts
Get PDFTechnical information – along with politics, economics, public opinion, societal values, and legal considerations – is one input into wildlife management decisions. As information consumers, decision-makers require objectivity of those who produce such information, and should have an understanding of the inference scope and strength (and uncertainty) associated with technical information. Information producers must earn, demonstrate, and protect that reputation of objectivity. Both producers and consumers must both foster and guard a culture of integrity, such that the processes of producing and applying information are transparent and can withstand intense scrutiny. Today, rather suddenly, there is national discourse on these subjects of transparency, professional integrity, and rigorous questioning and defense of scientific information. The discussion of the role of science and scientists in informing public policy has assumed a prominent position in traditional and social media. This panel, consisting of representatives from federal, state, tribal, and non-governmental organizations will engage in this discussion with the audience
Finite-Difference Modeling of 2-D Compressional Wavefield
Get PDFThis project discusses the derivation of the 2-D compressional wavefield (P-wave) and its finite-difference approximation. In developing this wavefield, we have two approximations. First, the subsurface density is assumed to be a constant. Second, the angle of wave propagation is less than 150 with respect to the surface (horizontal direction). The algorithms are used to demonstrate the propagation of P-wave through a simple subsurface model. Although not discussed in this project, the same algorithms are also able to model the propagation of P-wave in another complex model and the success of depthimaging algorithms in recovering the subsurface structures indicates the accuracy of the approximations for most modeling purposes. Future studies include modeling P-wave in 3-D, modeling elastic wavefield in 2/3-D, and extending the angle of propagation to more accurately model incoming waves at the edge of the computational grid